Referees for RWC 2015 announced

09/04/2015 - 30/10/2015

Eight referees of the 12-strong panel selected by World Rugby for the RWC 2015 are from Rugby Europe member Unions, with the other four from SANZAR Unions. Three of the seven assistant referees and one of the four TV match officials are also from Rugby Europe Unions, making a total of 12 officials out of the 23-strong squad for the Tournament that kicks off on 18 September.

There are three refrees from France, two from England, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa each and one from Wales. The 12-strong panel includes the follwoing:

Wayne Barnes (RFU)

George Clancy (IRFU)

JP Doyle (RFU)

Jérôme Garcès (FFR)

Pascal Gauzere (FFR)

Glen Jackson (NZR)

Craig Joubert (SARU)

John Lacey (IRFU )

Nigel Owens (WRU)

Jaco Peyper (SARU)

Romain Poite (FFR)

Chris Pollock (NZR)

The follwoig seven have been selected as assistant referees:

Federico Anselmi (UAR)

Stuart Berry (SARU)

Mike Fraser (NZR)

Angus Gardner (ARU)

Leighton Hodges (WRU)

Marius Mitrea (FIR)

Mathieu Raynal (FFR)

The four TV match ofificals are the follwing

George Ayoub (ARU)

Graham Hughes (RFU)

Ben Skeen (NZR)

Shaun Veldsman (SARU)

Former Scotland international and Chairman of the Selection Panel John Jeffrey said: “I want to congratulate all 12 referees, the seven ARs and four TMOs, who through very hard work and determination, have made it onto the panel for this year’s Rugby World Cup. Since Rugby World Cup 2011, we have been focused on developing a strong panel that can preside over the 48 matches at this year’s tournament. The fact that seven of the referee panel were involved in the 2011 tournament points to the big-match experience that they hold. Indeed, between the 12 of them, they have refereed no fewer than 361 internationals.